The alternator will charge if the battery is fully charged but the battery will not fully charge while driving?

TLAIKEN72

MEMBER
2014 KIA SORENTO
3.3L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
144,000 MILES

Okay, so my vehicle listed above just shut off. I was able to jump it off but as soon as I put it in gear it shut off again. We put it on a trailer and hauled it home. Sometimes it will start and sometimes it just clinked. We put a new battery on it, and it starts and runs until the battery drains. The alternator will charge if the battery if fully charged but the battery will not fully charge while driving.

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Hi,

I need you to check the alternator. I don't feel it is working at all. If the battery was new, it should have been fully charged. Since it slowly failed, to me it sounds like the alternator isn't charging.

Do this. Fully charge the battery and then perform this test. You will need either a voltmeter or a multimeter. Follow the directions in this link and let me know the results:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

Let me know what you find.

Take care,

Joe